art

²art

noun \ˈärt\

Definition of ART

1

: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of making friends>

2

a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural : liberal arts b archaic : learning, scholarship

3

: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ building>

4

a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art

5

a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful

6

: decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

Examples of ART

1. a piece of modern art
2. It's a remarkable picture, but is it art?
3. The museum has a large collection of folk art.
4. He studied art in college.

Origin of ART

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars — more at arm

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ART

Synonyms: craft, handcraft, handicraft, trade

Antonyms: artlessness, ineptitude, ineptness, maladroitness

Related Words: skill; calling, métier (also metier), occupation, profession, vocation

Near Antonyms: amateurishness, awkwardness, clumsiness, crudeness, klutziness, rudeness; inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of ART

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power <the art of choosing the right word>. skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency <the skill of a glassblower>. cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing <a mystery plotted with great cunning>. artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature <believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice>. craft may imply expertness in workmanship <the craft of a master goldsmith>.

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

Rhymes with ART

cart, chart, Chartres, dart, fart, hart, Harte, heart, kart, mart, part, smart, start, tart